Derry win the Armagh kick-out and with a real chance of a goal on Shane McGuigan blasts wide.

Six minutes played.

Derry win their own kick-out which goes long, after some build-up Niall Loughlin kicks the Oak Leaf counties first wide.

Armagh get the kick-out away and attack, Oisin Conaty shoots but it's to the left and wide.

Armagh's first wide of the game.

Brendan Rogers in at full-back for Derry marking Conor Turbitt.

Conor Glass fires over the first score of the game.

Derry win the throw-up but are turned over on their first attack.

Armagh counter but Peter McGrane's effort falls short.

Monaghan referee Martin McNally throws the ball in and the All-Ireland SFC first round clash between Armagh and Derry is up and running.

The substitutes, management and backroom staff are making their way off the field.

The players are lining up for the National Anthem as the floodlights come on here in Armagh.

There's a breeze blowing towards the Niall's Crescent end of the Athletic Grounds, the side Derry are warming up into.

It appears to be blowing towards the right corner of that end of the field at the minute, so it's hard to judge how much of an actual advantage it will be.

No rain so far, the pitch looks immaculate as always.

Odhran Crumley
BBC Sport NI at Athletic Grounds

Cavan lead Leinster champions Westmeath at half-time in extra-time in their All-Ireland SFC first round clash in Mullingar.

Goals from Paddy Meade, Paddy Lynch and Dara McVeety have the Breffni men in a 3-21 to 0-24 lead.

Armagh have scored eight goals in their four Ulster championship games to date.

Derry managed five in their two games against Antrim and Monaghan.

It's fair to assume that the net could be rattled here tonight.

Odhran Crumley
BBC Sport NI at Athletic Grounds

Armagh have played 11 championship games since winning the All-Ireland title back in 2024, they've only lost two in that time.

Losing last years Ulster final to Donegal by one point (after extra-time) before losing to Kerry in the All-Ireland quarter-final as the Kingdom marched towards winning Sam.

Derry have won just three of their last 11 championship fixtures, beating Antrim in this season's Ulster quarter-final, their other two wins coming back in 2024, beating Westmeath in the group-stages and a victory over Mayo in the preliminary quarter-final on penalties.

The Oak Leafers are due a big championship win, Armagh have made a real habit of it.

Image source, Inpho

Armagh are the most prolific county on the island of Ireland so far this season in championship football, rattling up a seriously impressive 8-110 in their four outings to date, that's an average of 33.5 points per game.

Derry are the fourth most prolific county in the championship with a return of 5-46 from their two outings, an average of 30 points per game.

The new rules have definitely kept the scoreboard operators busy.

Kieran McGeeney makes one change to the side which beat Monaghan to win the Ulster title a fortnight ago, Gareth Murphy replaces Paddy Burns at corner-back.

There's a few positional switches with Jarly Og Burns starting at midfield alongside Andrew Murnin, there's a seriously strong full-forward line with Jason Duffy at 14 with Conor Turbitt and Oisin Conaty in the corners.

McGeeney also has a vastly experienced bench with names such as Oisin O'Neill, Rory Grugan, Aidan Forker and Ross McQuillan amongst others.

Derry manager Ciaran Meenagh makes two changes to the side that started their Ulster semi-final defeat to Monaghan here in Armagh last month.

Shea Downey replaces Diarmuid Baker in defence, while Paul Cassidy drops to the bench with Niall Toner in from the start.

The Oak leaf full-forward line combined for 2-14 of their total against the Farney men and Niall Loughlin, Shane McGuigan and Lachlan Murray all retain their places.

Armagh: Blaine Hughes; Peter McGrane, Aaron McKay, Gareth Murphy; Joe McElroy, Tiernan Kelly, Greg McCabe; Jarly Og Burns, Andrew Murnin; Cian McConville, Darragh McMullen, Tomas McCormack; Conor Turbitt, Jason Duffy, Oisin Conaty.

Subs: Ethan Rafferty, Paddy Burns, Barry McCambridge, Ryan Duffy, Ross McQuillan, Oisin O'Neill, Daniel Magee, Aidan Forker, Aaron O'Neill, Callum O'Neill, Rory Grugan.

Derry: Shea McGuckin; Shea Downey, Ruairi Forbes, Conor McCluskey; Conor Doherty, Gareth McKinless, Padraig McGrogan; Eoin McEvoy, Brendan Rogers; Ethan Doherty, Conor Glass, Niall Toner; Niall Loughlin, Shane McGuigan, Lachlan Murray.

Subs: Ryan Scullion, Charlie Diamond, Diarmuid Baker, Dan Higgins, Sean Kearney, Patrick McGurk, James Sargent, Niall O'Donnell, Ruairi O Mianain, Paul Cassidy, Sean Young.

Referee: Martin McNally (Monaghan)

Image source, BBC Sport

These two sides met in the first game of the All-Ireland series last year also...

Armagh opened their All-Ireland round-robin series with a 2-21 to 2-17 win over Ulster rivals Derry at the Athletic Grounds.

The All-Ireland champions led 2-16 to 0-13 midway through the second half thanks to goals from Barry McCambridge and Conor Turbitt before Conor Glass and Dan Higgins hit the net for Derry cutting the deficit to four.

Despite that Derry comeback, Armagh steadied the ship however to secure the victory.

Welcome to the City of Armagh, the home of the 2026 Ulster Senior Football champions as they begin their assault on the All-Ireland series.

Two weeks on from that famous win over Monaghan as they captured the provincial title for the first time in 18 years, it's Ulster opposition once again, this time in the form of Derry.

The Oak Leafers crashed out of the Ulster championship at this very venue, at the semi-final stage last month, they led Monaghan by 11 points heading into the final quarter, but collapsed and lost out after extra-time.

Ciaran Meenagh's side will be looking to right a few wrongs and upset the Orchard men on their home patch.

Strap yourself in, this one promises to be a clinker and BBC Sport have the best seat in the house to keep you right up to date.